Nothing to Wear! Dress like you mean it!

I received an email today from St Vincent De Paul and it really caught my attention. The subject said “Homelessness Prevention, Urgent Need”. To be completely honest, I don’t usually open these emails, however something was different about this one.

As I read it, my heart just sank. We all recognize that these are challenging times for many, and the majority do not have anything left over for savings at the end of the month. Just one job loss can lead to a family becoming homeless in some cases. The food banks are struggling to keep up with the number of families that need basic necessities. These are not lazy people who don’t want to work; these are individuals who have experienced the unfortunate event of losing a job, facing a traumatic health condition, or dealing with increased rent they can no longer afford.

I know this blog typically focuses on fashion and styling, creating a lighthearted atmosphere. However, I couldn’t shake the thought of those who are facing hardships and lacking a place to call home. The article mentioned that in January alone, landlords in Maricopa County filed 8000 evictions. This is an overwhelming number and reflects a challenging reality for many people.

Although I may not have a large following, I believe it’s essential to use my voice to try and make a positive impact on someone’s life. One way I aim to achieve this is through my blog. Imagine if, for just one day, we refrained from purchasing anything for ourselves – no take-out, coffee, or Amazon orders – and instead pooled that extra money, no matter how small, to help someone stay in their home. I’m not suggesting large donations, just the amount you would have spent on yourself that day – whether it’s $10 or $100. How much could we change in just one day if we all took on this challenge?

Read below for the context of the email.

Your support of St. Vincent de Paul allows us to:

• Provide one-time rent or mortgage assistance for families to help them avoid eviction and stay in their homes.
• Help families and individuals avoid the trauma of experiencing homelessness, which puts them at a higher risk of job loss, victimization, poor health, loneliness, and depression, which can lead to chemical dependency, crime, and a host of other issues.

Some of you may be living in different states, so if you’d rather, you can look for an organization in your own city or state that is working on something similar.

I know some may continue with their day without a second thought about this article, however, there are so many incredible individuals who will take action. Even if it’s only a few of us, we are making a difference in someone’s life today!

I realize how fortunate I’ve been in my life thus far, and I acknowledge that I have the capacity to become a more compassionate person, willing to make sacrifices to support those who are facing unforeseen challenges.

I’m accepting the challenge on 08/27 – not a single penny will be spent on myself. Who’s with me? Will you take the no spend challenge and make a difference? If you’re ready to join in, leave a comment saying, “Today (date), I sacrificed ___ to help prevent someone from being homeless.”

Here is the article that contains a Donate link.

https://stvincentdepaul.net/give/campaigns/obrien-fund

If you’d like to donate by phone, call 602-266-GIVE(4483).

Thank you for taking time to read this in its entirety. I promise I’ll get back to the fun styling advice, but for today, I was meant to write these words.

Cheers to making a difference

Jenn